Shetland Fiber

updated 4/8/2021

Fleece For Sale:  

Shearing for 2021 is in process.  I say "in process" as Tom and I do it ourselves and our backs can only handle 4-6 at a time.  We have developed a 2 person shearing technique, I handle the shears and attempt to look like a professional, and Tom backs me up, assisting with holding the sheep in the various positions.   The goal is to keep the animal comfortable and be careful not to nick the skin as well as to optimally get the fleece off for discerning fiber artists like myself.  I then personally skirt the fleece to my specifications.  Although it is all quite physical, I do enjoy the process; seeing and feeling first hand each fleece from my flock.    

Below I give a brief description and try to rank degree of vegi matter (VM) on a scale of 0-3, 0 meaning very, very little, 3 means not to put it on my sale list.  VM at our farm usually consists of bits of seedless orchard grass hay.   Also of note is that these gals were not bred, meaning they don't have the stress of lambing or lambs jumping on their wool.  This makes for a better fleece, although we miss the bouncing babes.

You can tell the length of the lock by the picture; each of those wire squares on the skirting table is 2 inches.  As for fineness, most of our fleeces are in the 23-31 micron area (micron tests were done early in our sheep career but now I go my my hand), soft for outer wear like a sweater/vest but maybe not quite fine enough for next to the skin (some parts of some fleeces may work for this depending on your skin sensitivity).   A sheep wouldn't stay long on our farm if I didn't enjoy their fleece.

This year I included a snapshot of the sheep shortly before their shearing so you can see the fleece and how is wears.  They are pictures from this year.

SE2SE-I do have passport stickers for the Shetland fiber I sell, just let me know if you want me to include it.

Anyway I try to be honest about it so you know what to expect.  Let me know if you have any questions or need more pictures.  Price does not include shipping, you can give me a zip and I'll quote you shipping costs.  Generally it's about $22 (US) unless it is a smaller fleece and I can get it into a medium size USPS box, then it's a bit less.   We accept Paypal, I can email you an invoice.

Raw Fleeces 2021:

Jackie

Dark gray or charcoal in color, fine handle with locks 5-6" in length.  VM of 1.  Wt 4.4#, price $91 plus shipping. 

Bloom-SOLD

Bloom's fleece is a nice dark black/silver color, locks more on the tippy side, handle soft with the disorganized type crimp.  Length is about 3-4" with VM 0.  Wt 3.2#.  Price $60 plus shipping.

  

Nori-SOLD

Miss Nori is a Gotland X sheep (Gotland, Shetland and Finn) with a long staple, 5" and a lovely gray color.  Being Gotland is is more toward the medium handle but still soft and has lots of luster.  Gotland fleece felts nicely so works well for felt projects.  Also lovely for spinning and weaving (nice draping).  VM of 0-1, wt 6.3#, price $118 plus shipping.

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Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the above products.  I try to be complete in my description but may miss something important to you.  

Thank you,
Tracy Livernois,
McTavish Farm Shetlands